Visual learning system and method

Abstract

The teaching system comprises at least one themed set of one or more learning cards having a common graphical representation of a themed subject matter and at least one testing placemat comprising a testing area having a graphical representation of a correlating themed subject matter of the at least one themed set. The testing placemat may have a contoured perimeter adapted to fit at least partially around the base of tableware such as a plate or bowl, wherein a learner's knowledge of the themed subject matter is tested during their mealtime.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A teaching system for teaching a learner, comprising:
 (a) at least one themed set of one or more learning cards having a common graphical representation of a themed subject matter; and   (b) at least one testing placemat comprising a testing area having a graphical representation of a correlating themed subject matter of the at least one themed set.   
     
     
         2 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one testing placemat further comprises a contoured perimeter adapted to fit at least partially around the base of tableware. 
     
     
         3 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more teacher guidance cards, each teacher guidance card providing teaching instructions correlating to a one or more learning cards within the at least one themed set, wherein the learner is prompted in accordance with the teacher guidance card to familiarize the learner with the themed subject matter provided on the learning card. 
     
     
         4 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a tracking chart, wherein the learner's successful completion of each testing placement is recorded thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a means for resisting the movement of the placemat while on a surface. 
     
     
         6 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more means for attachment with a surface. 
     
     
         7 . The teaching system as in  claim 6 , wherein the means for attachment with a surface is a suction cup having a clip, wherein the suction cup is securely attached to the surface and the clip is attached to the testing placemat, whereby the placemat is secured into place during the child's mealtime and testing. 
     
     
         8 . The teaching system as in  claim 6 , wherein the one or more means for attachment with a surface is further configured to elevate the testing area towards the learner during mealtime. 
     
     
         9 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more themed sets are grouped together according to complexity to form a group level, wherein one or more themes are sequentially presented to the learner in order to familiarize the learner's knowledge of the themed subject matter of the one or more themed sets. 
     
     
         10 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , wherein the themed subject matter can be selected from the group consisting of colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet, language skills, object recognition, body parts, animals, emotions, phonics, geography and sign language. 
     
     
         11 . The teaching system as in  claim 1 , further comprising providing a tracking chart, wherein the learner's successful completion of each testing placement is recorded thereon. 
     
     
         12 . A teaching method for teaching a learner, comprising:
 (a) providing at least one themed set of one or more learning cards having a common graphical representation of a themed subject matter;   (b) providing at least one testing placemat comprising a testing area having a graphical representation of a correlating themed subject matter of at least one themed set;   (c) sequentially present the one or more learning cards to a learner;   (d) prompting the learning to answer questions or a leading statement question about each presented learning card to familiarize the learner with the themed subject matter provided on the learning card;   (e) presenting to the learning child the at least one testing placemat during the learner's mealtime; and   (f) testing the learner's knowledge of the themed subject matter provided on the at least one testing placemat.   
     
     
         13 . The teaching method, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the testing placemat further comprises a contoured perimeter adapted to fit at least partially around the base of tableware. 
     
     
         14 . The teaching method, as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising providing at least one teacher guidance card containing teaching instructions correlating to at least one or more learning card within the at least one set; wherein the learning child is prompted in accordance with the teacher guidance card to familiarize the learner with the themed subject matter provided on the at least one learning card before the learner's knowledge of the themed subject matter is tested. 
     
     
         15 . The teaching method, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the themed subject matter can be selected from the group consisting of colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet, language skills, object recognition, body parts, animals, emotions, phonics, geography and sign language. 
     
     
         16 . The teaching method, as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising providing a tracking chart, wherein the child's successful completion of each testing placement is recorded thereon. 
     
     
         17 . The teacher system for a learner as in  claim 12 , wherein one or more themed sets are grouped together according to complexity to form a group level, wherein one or more themes are sequentially presented to the learner in order to familiarize the learner's knowledge of the themed subject matter of the one or more themed sets. 
     
     
         18 . A teaching method, comprising:
 (a) providing at least one learning card having a graphical representation a themed subject matter;   (b) providing at least one teacher guidance cards containing teaching instructions correlating to the at least one learning card;   (c) providing at least one testing placemat comprising a testing area having a graphical representation of a correlating themed subject matter of at least one learning card;   (d) providing a tracking chart, wherein the child's successful completion of each testing placement is recorded thereon;   (e) presenting the at least one learning card to a learning child;   (f) prompting the learning child in accordance with the teacher guidance card to familiarize the learning child with the themed subject matter provided on the learning card;   (g) presenting to the learning child the at least one testing placemat during the learner's mealtime;   (h) testing the learner's knowledge of the themed subject matter provided on the testing placemat; and   (i) recording the successful completion of the test on the tracking chart in order to track the progress of the child learner.